Sweden to open embassy in Lebanon

The Government has today decided to open an embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. The embassy will be fully operational next year.

The embassy's activities will mainly involve political reporting and development cooperation, with a special focus on the Syria crisis and its repercussions in Lebanon. The opening of an embassy will strengthen relations with Lebanon and create better conditions for the implementation and follow-up of Sweden's five-year regional development cooperation strategy for the Syria crisis. The strategy encompasses SEK 1.7 billion until 2020. In addition, Sweden has contributed more than SEK 2.2 billion in humanitarian aid to the region since the outbreak of the conflict. There is currently an honorary consulate in Beirut.

"With an embassy in Lebanon we will have the opportunity to improve the prospects of an active role for Sweden in the region, with a focus on the Syria crisis. Lebanon and Sweden are affected by the Syria conflict in different ways, and it is therefore very good news that we can now strengthen our bilateral relations," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström.